Is It Really Wrong to Love a Light? (Part 1)

I'm in love...

...with a light.

That's right.

I just can't GET enough. BUY enough.

MAKE enough.

Chandeliers.

I've got no explanation for my weakness.

I've loved them for as long as I can remember.

They must be why I love fairy tales so much.

In my eyes a fairy tale's not worth watching unless it has a

beautiful, bright, sparkly chandelier.

I want to surround myself with them.

In any way, shape, or form.

So, I spent a few hours

making this one...

I painted the chandelier onto the glass of an old window frame,

covered it in bits of sheet music,

painted the frame black, and Voila!

Instant chandelier!

All the romance. And no electricity required!

I want more!

I must make more!

Women will see them!

Women will want them!

Women will love lights as much as I do!

Okay, My Fair Maids and Maidens!

I'm off to the far, far away land of Chandelierdom!

My Handsome Prince awaits!

Seriously? Wallpaper?

Amy and I went shopping at one of my favorite stores the other day.

And I came across a really hideously painted 'entry table',
'television table', 'table thingy'.

The price was great but the paint was...well, you decide for yourself

So, I started painting, and wallpapering, and enlisting the help of random folks just passing by.

No, seriously, that's just my friend Nancy who stopped by to say 'hi' and I promptly put her to work.

"Thanks My Friend!"

It took a bit of painting, measuring, cutting, and gluing but we did it!

And well, I'm just tickled pink at how great this turned out!

I hope you are too!

Here are some tips for achieving the best finish.

You can learn from my mistakes...

• 
  
  Use newspaper or butcher paper to make a pattern of the surface you're wanting to cover. Once you know that your pattern fits then cut your wallpaper (paying close attention to the pattern of the wallpaper so you get the best pattern centered on the piece)
• 
  
  Don't rely only on Mod Podge or only on the wallpaper glue to adhere your paper to the surface.  You should wet the wallpaper just like you're going to hang it on the wall and adhere it in combination with the Mod Podge. It will take both to stick permanently.
• 
  
  After you've positioned your paper in the right place use an old credit card to smooth out any air/glue bubbles.  Start in the center and work out.  This will ensure that your paper lays smooth and gives a more professional look.
• 
  
  Once you get your wallpaper attached to the piece, and it has dried, take a fine toothed rasp, nail file, or piece of sandpaper and file/sand the outer edges where the paper meets the wood.  This will give you a uniform 'painted' rather than a 'papered' look. You can go back in later with paint to cover up any rough areas.
• 
  
  When you are satisfied with the look spray or paint a clear sealer for protection.
• 
  
  In case you're wondering, for this table I used 2 different types of wallpaper and 1 piece of matte-finished gift wrap.

And that's all there was to it!

If you try this (or any other new projects you'd like to share)

then post a picture here so we can see how great they turned out!

Oh. And Note to friends...

...If you stop by to visit be prepared you may be put to work {grin}.

Hugs!

Pop!

So it was Spring Break.
Amy and the kids were coming to spend a couple of days with me at the store.

What could we do to have fun??....

I saw this recipe in a book and just HAD to give it a try.

So...We Made Marshmallow Pops!!!

It was so, so simple!

Here's our Prep Work...

1. First, we melted some almond bark in a wide bowl in the microwave--we used two different types (white almond bark and chocolate chips) and both were delicious.
2. Then we piled a few different types of cupcake sprinkles onto a platter.
3. We put skewers (the recipe called for popsicle sticks but I didn't have any so we used skewers--we just broke off the sharp point for safety) into each marshmallow (we used pink marshmallows I found at the grocery store--Yummy! and way cuter than the white ones!)

And then the fun began!

• They dipped the marshmallow in the chocolate.


• Swirled the covered marshmallow in the sprinkles.


• And placed the finished product on a plate to dry! Voila!!

Easy Peasy!!

It really was Just That Simple!

And surprisingly good even for an adult!

Try it out and let me know what you think!

It was really a lot of fun and a great way to pass the time for the kids!

Enjoy and...
Sticky Hugs to ya!!

Deep in the Heart...

I recently had the opportunity to spend time back in Waco.

It was a bittersweet time.

Sad time spent grieving with my 'sister-friend' Deb and her family

over the loss of our Me-Maw.

And happy times shared with my own Mom, Dad, and sister.

I spent a few hours at Deb's house and

after walking around her yard I just knew I had to

share her little piece of Texas with you.

These are all pictures taken around her home.
And even though it's still early in the spring,
there's a little green peeking through.

It all just screams Texas doesn't it?

Look closely...

Do you see her daddy's boots?

Once the sedum starts growing to fill in this little wagon

it will be such a juxtaposition against the rusty metal hanging from the tree.

Love It!

Don'tcha just love old rusty stuff and cactus--or is it cacti? hmmmm.

Beautiful old cemetery fencing is

just the right touch around this cactus garden.

Just the right touches of wood, metal, and glass...

...and even a flower bed! {snicker}

Nope...

not every Texan owns a horse.

But a hitchin' post is always a great touch.

Gosh I had such a wonderful visit.
And though I was born and raised in Austin
it was in Waco that I spent the last 20 years
and raised my own family before we moved to Oklahoma.
I didn't realize how much I loved Waco until I was back there again.

Oh, how I miss home.

I guess, as the saying goes, "You can take the Girl out of Texas,

But you can't take Texas out of the Girl".

A Big Texas Hug to Ya!

GO!!!!!

Okay.

So the Studio was Organized for...

Oh, I don't know...

One Point Five Seconds.

{sigh}

The world sympathized with me

when I made a laughable attempt at trying to Focus.

{double sigh}

But then I started thinking...

Maybe...

Just maybe...

It's not in me.

Maybe I'm not meant to be organized.

Maybe there's a reason I can't stay focused.

Maybe I'm more creative when I'm a little bit scatterbrained.

Maybe that's just who I am.

Maybe that's how I roll.

Maybe wandering around in my happy, little,
skip-to-my-lou world is a good thing.

Maybe my little corner of paradise is one that's

just meant to be filled with

stacks of papers, piles of ephemera,

jars of soaking paintbrushes, and tubs of fabric.

Maybe My Happy Place isn't such a bad place after all.

Make no mistake.  I'm not kidding myself.

I'd like to be more organized.

I'd like to be more focused.

I'd like to just be happy with who I am.

Who knows...Maybe I'm at my best when I'm in my haphazard,

chaotic, frustratingly unorganized zone.

Maybe I shouldn't mess with Mother Nature.

She's been on my side all these years.

So, I'm gonna just go with it.

If I stay organized.

Great!

If I stay focused.

Great!

Just Let Me Create!!

Oh...

And those infamous clipboards...

I've finished 10!

Hang In There With Me!

Hugs!

Set...

The Bible says we should not envy. So I'm at a loss for a word.

Maybe it's yearn. Yes, yearn is a good word (actually it's kind of a weird word but let's move on).

I yearn to be like normal, productive people.
I yearn to be a neat housekeeper.
I yearn to be a fashionable dresser who can pick out clothes with ease.
I yearn to lose weight.
I yearn to stay organized.
I yearn to keep on top of things and not procrastinate.

But most importantly...I yearn. Yearn. YEARN to stay focused. That's why I chose FOCUS as my 'word' for 2009.

And I sheepishly admit...I am failing miserably. {sigh}

I simply cannot stay on task. I am so easily distracted that it's laughable.

"How laughable?", you say.  Well, I recently received an email that was so timely and hit so close to home that I had to share it with you.

I've changed some of the wording to reflect a typical day in my life.

So bear with me as I try to stay on task...

Recently I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D -

Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests itself:

Today I decide I'm going to be productive and set out to embellish clipboards--I've been trying to get these finished for 3 to 4 months now and by-golly today's going to be the day!

After I line up the clipboards on the counter (because assembly-line production is SO productive, right?--I'm on a roll already! YESSSS!) I make my way toward the studio to search for cute papers for embellishing.

On my way I notice the box of buttons taking up valuable counter space and decide to put them away real quickly--it won't take any time and look at all the space it would free up--space that I can use for clipboards.

As I'm about to take the buttons back to the studio a customer walks up to check out.  She begins to visit so I decide that I'll maximize my time and just pick through and sort the buttons by color while I wait.

Customer's gone and I've got
several piles of buttons in various colors and sizes.

 Well, I can't just dump them all back together after all this work.
I should totally put them in small baggies or something.

Let me just run get those baggies. They're right over here.

As I reach for the baggies the phone rings.

It's another customer and thankfully the call didn't take long.

I hang up the phone and try to remember what I was doing before the call.

Oh yes...baggies.

"Oh! Good Morning!"

 (It's my Mail Lady bringing me a package! How Exciting!--I really enjoy visiting with her so we talk for a moment before she leaves)

A Package! What can it be?!?

Gotta' Open it--Can't stand the suspense!

Oooh! It's the new Purse Hooks I ordered for the Store!

Well, let's just set those up real quick!
They won't sell sitting in the box right?

"Ding!"

(That's the doorbell telling me I have another customer)

They shop as I start to unpack the box.

"Oh, You'd like me to open a showcase for you?"

"Sure! I'll be right there"

(I'll just finish those purse hooks as soon as I get back)

Okay. Customer's happy and I'm on my way back to the front.

But on my way I notice a pile of leaves
that have fallen off the plants that I've forgotten to water.
That's not good.
I can't have a store with a bunch of leaves
that look like a pile of trash in the middle of the floor.

I'll just sweep those leaves up really quick
and grab a pitcher of water for those poor, neglected plants.

Now where did I put that broom? And that pitcher?

As I search for the pitcher & broom I look up at the clock and see that it's lunchtime.

Oh Gosh! I need to warm up food before Billy gets here to eat.

More customers, more phone calls, lunch is almost over

and I need to write up a deposit for Billy to take to the bank before he goes back to work.

 

I'll just put my lunch and drink in the fridge out of the way until I can get back to them.

As I head toward the kitchen area with my food I look over and find my reading glasses
and that pitcher that I've been searching for all morning.

I'd better put the glasses back on my desk where I'll be sure to find them when I need them. 

I pour water on the plants,
--but quite a bit of it spills on the floor.

I should totally run and get some paper towels.

So, I set the glasses back on the counter
just as more customers walk into the store.

Packages are wrapped, guest books are signed, and

as I head down the hall I'm trying to remember "What it was I was on my way to do?..."

So it's the end of the day and

• 
  
  the clipboards aren't finished,
• 
  
  the buttons are stacked in colorful little piles on the counter,
• 
  
  the new purse hooks are still packed in the box--but the packing material managed to get spread everywhere,
• 
  
   the pile of leaves litter the floor,
• 
  
  my cold lunch and warm drink are sitting on the counter next to the fridge,
• 
  
  the flowers don't have enough water--but there seems to be plenty on the floor,
• 
  
  I can't find my glasses,
• 
  
  the bank deposit is partially written up,

and who knows where my broom is...

So, I'm sitting here trying to figure out why nothing got done today,
And I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day!
And I'm really, really tired.

So you see...I YEARN to FOCUS!

I do find some consolation in that my youngest daughter
is so proud of her mom staying Focussed long enough
to finish this blog.
Oh well, I'll take anything positive that I can get out of the day. {sigh}

Hugs to ya!

Ready...

Step One.

Make some sense of  all THIS...

And this...

 

And even this...

A daunting task.  Can it be done?  How did it ever get this bad?

More importantly, WHERE DID ALL THIS STUFF COME FROM?!?

Okay. I admit it.

I have a lot of stuff.

But I really NEED a lot of stuff!

I really love my stuff.

I am one with my stuff.

Me and my stuff...we're tight.

I just wish I knew where all the stuff is when I need it.

{Sigh...}

So welcome to my first Word for 2009:

Okay. Deep Breath. Focus.

And...

Meet My Studio

This is the area behind the front counter.

It measures about 14'x16' (224 sq ft) and I've

filled it with items that I love.

You know, I heard once that you should surround yourself with things you love.

And I definitely have.

All these things inspire me.

(I'll share those pics with you at another time.)

This is the entry into my HUGE okay tiny 10'x12' studio.
It is located just behind the huge shelf in the above photo.

I have so much ribbon that I'm literally having to

get creative with displaying and storing it...

See what I mean?

For these racks I used old wooden video/CD holders and added

1"x6" planks up each side. Before I attached the planks I drilled holes

for the dowels to be supported on and voila!

Then all the glue, sewing supplies, scissors, stamps, punches, emblishments, lace, wood, buttons, jewelry, beads, and assorted ephemera needed to have homes.

These have worked the best for me...

It really helps to speed up projects when your letters are separated...

And I thought this printer tray was just

the perfect thing to keep them order.

And buttons!

Buttons are just more fun to look at and to use when they're color-coded

and stored in unusual containers.

My Hubby says "Imagine how big that button was

before it went into the grinder". {grin--he's such a comic!}

And isn't glitter just more fun to use when it's stored like THIS?...

I found vintage salt & pepper shakers and lined them up in spice racks

and vintage ladies hankie/glove boxes.

If you open the photos you'll also see that I used syrup and

oil/vinegar shakers to store the larger glitter.

So, there you have it!

I've begun to Organize.

And I'm ready to move to

Word #2.

Stay Tuned!

As I Press Onward!

Mission Accomplished

“The greatest gift

is a portion of thyself.”

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

A request was made.

And you rose to the occasion!

This is just a small sampling of the multitude of over 300 holiday cards

you took the time to send to my nephew Jon while he is stationed

in Baghdad this year.

In the beginning, he had no idea what was going on.

It was so funny to hear his comments.

At first he was really puzzled.

"Mom", he'd say, "I really got a lot of Christmas cards in the mail today."

Then, as the days went on, he'd receive more, and more, and more cards.

One day, as he went to pick up his mail, Jon asked the

mail clerk, "Do I have any mail?".

The clerk said,

"DO YOU HAVE ANY MAIL?!?! What do you have? A Fan Club!?!"

So Jon called his family and said, "What is going on?

Every day I keep getting more and more cards."

The family finally 'fessed up' and told him what was going on.

They sent him to read the posts on Tif and my blogs.

So, I just have to say a really big 'Thank You!'

to each of you  for your kind works and your thoughtfulness.

(And if you'd like to continue to drop a line to Jon,

even after the holidays, you can send letters to:)

SSGT Jon Bureman

JIDC Unit 42129

APO AE 09342-2129

Thank you for sharing a part of yourselves.

Blessings!

It Was My Lucky Day!

I was the lucky one!
I was a winner!
(And I apologize for not posting about it sooner!)

But I actually won a Blog Giveaway! 
{I know. I can't believe it either!}

Last month I was a lucky winner of one of the prizes in a blog giveaway hosted by one of my new blogger friends Sharon at PrimThyme.

And here are the sweetest prizes I received in the mail. 

Sharon worked so hard on these and I am truly honored to have them. She mentioned in her note that she doesn't even use patterns--she just lets the fabric scrap speak to her! Amazing!!

I'm so happy that my name was picked and that she took the time to host the giveaway.

Thank You Sharon!

Hugs!

No Resolutions!

Nope. You read it right.

Even though I'm a little late, I've decided that
This year. No resolutions.

I'm downsizing. 

(Now STOP laughing! Maybe downsizing IS in my vocabulary!)

I've been reading a lot of blogs lately about 'Your Word for 2009'.

And I really like the idea.

A Word for the year would be fun, and quirky,

and maybe more motivational than a never-ending list
of resolutions that I just can't seem to accomplish.

So I'm Gonna Do It!!

All I have to do is come up with my Word.

Seriously! How hard can it be?
This should be a piece of cake!

OH MY GOSH!! WHO KNEW THERE'D BE SO MUCH PRESSURE!!!

All the blogs I'd been reading spoke so eloquently about their Word.
(Now I'm really wishing I'd paid more attention
during my creative writing classes {sigh})

I felt as if My Word should be profound, regal, inciteful,

thought-provoking, inspiring, life-changing, yet achievable...

You know...A Word worthy of working toward.

Never mind. I can't do it.

I just can't come up with the one word
that should define my life this year.

But I really WANT to do it.

So, I did what always works for me when I need to calm down and think.

I sat down with a 12 pack of Dr. Pepper and

14 dozen cinnamon rolls from my favorite bakery and got to work.

Three days later I did it!!
I've come up with My Word

(oh, and 2 tiny little sub-words that I've sneaked in because,

Hey! I really need 3 words--and I did downsize from a long list of resolutions right?!)

Plus, I'm The Boss of My Words so I get to make up my own rules.

And so...here they are.
My Word(s) for 2009.

Organize.
Focus.
Create.

Sorry. Nothing really profound. But I think they're gonna work for me.
I'll keep you posted on my progress.

So, my friends.

Jump on the bandwagon with me.

It's not too late to think about Your Word for 2009.

What will it be?

Let me know.  We'll do this together!!

Many New Year Hugs!!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

I've found another FUN site!

And it's ALL ABOUT CHRISTMAS!

"Thank You!" to my friend Linda

for telling me about this website so I could share it with you.

(Sorry I didn't let you know sooner, though)

Even so, if the kids are stir-crazy and need some fun, quiet time.

Or if you're needing some last-minute recipe and gift ideas.

This is your place!

There are all kinds of interactive

activities for children AND us grown-up kids!

Yummy recipes in

In the children's section you can do things like...

Send Santa a letter and he'll write you back

Track Santa as he makes his way to your house

Print stories and color the pages

Personalize a story with YOU as the star

Find the hidden stories throughout Santa's Secret Village

Visit the Elf Clubhouse for fun games to play

Send holiday e-cards to your friends, family, and teachers

and on, and on, and on.

You'll have to go check it out for yourselves.

There's just too much to list.

But GUARANTEED fun!!

The website is http://www.northpole.com/. You're gonna love it!!

My Family Sends You Our VERY, VERY Best Holiday Wishes!

Please stay safe and warm!

Holiday Hugs!

Seems Like Yesterday...

Ever hear that phrase?

Me too! From my PARENTS!!

But I caught myself actually using it today.

Because today Billy and I have been married for 30 years.

(YIKES!!! Somebody must be getting old! And when did THAT happen?!?)

And as I look back I think of things like,

"I was just a baby! (Well okay 19) But awfully young to get married"

and most especially...

"Who? In their right mind? Would get married 2 days before Christmas?!?"

Seriously!?!

But I have to tell you my friends

What I've heard all these years really is true...

...as you get older, time really DOES seem to go by faster.

I don't know how. But it does.

(I'm thinking it's some kind of Einstein theory yet to be explored)

And as I look back at all those yesterdays.
They are filled with some of the GREATEST memories.
I wouldn't trade any of them.
(Well, okay, maybe a couple) {{snicker}}

But truly, the Lord has blessed me
with a kind, spiritual, and loving husband

and a beautiful, caring, and devoted family.
I can't wait to see what the next 30 years brings!

Many Hugs My Friends!!

Operation Christmas Cheer!

Happy Holidays My Friends!!

I have a very special request of all my blogger friends.

Many of you I already know and

many of you are brand new friends that

I look forward to getting to know better.

So, here's my request.

My sister-in-law Sandy had a dream the other night

and we want to help her make it come true.

The only thing is we can't do it alone.

So we need your help!

My nephew (Sandy's son, Amy's brother) Jon is currently stationed

in Baghdad, Iraq and will spend the holidays there.

This is his 14th year in the Air Force and the first time he has had to spend

the holidays away from all his loved ones.

His work schedule keeps him from even having a day off!

Sandy dreamed that on Christmas morning Jon was greeted

with bags and bags of Christmas cards and letters just like the scene in Miracle on 34th Street.

We've been busily spreading the word by emailing all our contacts,

notifying all our friends, and Billy and I have even bought cards

to bring to work with us to have folks sign right then.

Isn't this the NEATEST IDEA!?!

For all of us that support our troops,

hate to think of someone spending the holidays alone,

or know someone who has had to serve during the holidays past,

we urge you to add an address to your Christmas card list.

And if any of you know of others who are serving...

Please Let Us Know!

We'd like to do this for others as well!

His address is:

SSGT Jon Bureman

JIDC Unit 42129

APO AE 09342-2129

(And don't worry if you can't get it out by Dec. 15th

--Send it anyway--

He'll love getting a card no matter what day he receives it!)

If you'd like...please let him know who you are

and feel free to pass this on to anyone you know

that might be interested in helping us out.

Thank you so much for joining us!

Sweet Dreams Sandy!!

Many Holiday Hugs!!

Cheryl

Fashionably Late...

Hi Ladies!!!

I am the "Guest Blogger".

 And I have to say I am ashamed of myself.

I usually am a guest that arrives on time--and sometimes early.

But being a "Guest Blogger" stressed me a little!

Allow me to introduce myself...

My name is Amy.

I am Cheryl's niece. Her husband Billy is my mother Sandy's brother.

You've probably read about me and my 3 kids in previous posts from Cheryl.

I became a "guest blogger" because I harass Cheryl about not blogging enough.

I will either call her and say "uh...I'm bored with your lack of blog" or leave little comments like "it's time...".

She told me next time I say something about her not blogging she was going to tag me to be a guest.

I didn't think much of it until the time came
and all I felt was fear and stress!

I never realized how hard it was to come up with something to talk about!

I even laid in bed at night thinking "what if nobody cares about what I write"...I hate rejection...LOL!

Well, I've put it off long enough.

But I have something AWESOME to blog about!

Last night I was doing the dishes and the phone rang.

It was my friend Christy.

She asked me what I was doing tomorrow, if I had any plans,

and if I had someone to watch my youngest Sadie.

She went on to say that she'd won a prize and wanted to share it with me.

I was thinking she won a free lunch or a free manicure or something.

 Well, she shocked the heck out of me
when she said she'd entered her name in a contest with a local TV channel and won...

are you ready????...

 AN HOUR LONG DANCE LESSON WITH THE RADIO CITY ROCKETTES!!!

Yes, you read that right!!!

I danced with the Rockettes this afternoon!!

My friend won this for her and 9 of her friends

and I was so touched that she chose me as one of 'her 9'!

 Well, after she gave me all the details of the day

I got off the phone and went straight into panic mode!

What will I wear?

How should I do my hair?

I have no dance experience except ballet when I was 5...

I almost thought about not going just because all those thoughts were stressing me out.

I held it together and ran to Kohl's and spent an hour searching for that perfect outfit.

What I ended up with was actually cute {whew}...

a pair of grey workout pants...a black shirt with "bling bling" from Canton, TX. and a black fleece vest.

I put it all on this morning and was happy with my choices.

My hair was cute and I even put on a dab of eye shadow.

When I arrived at the convention center I had no idea what to expect...

But when we all met up and went to our room I was happy to see

the other girls that Christy invited were normal like me.

For some reason I had envisioned the other 8 girls showing up

in full-on dance gear with professional shoes and all.

 But nope, sweat pants and tee shirts {whew}

Then...the moment we'd been waiting for...

(drum roll please)...

the ROCKETTES arrived in FULL costume!!

They looked awesome!

They had on cute Christmas hats with fur trim!

Their outfits were cute little Santa dresses with sequins and fur all over!

...Sooooo cute!

There were 4 Rockettes to spend the hour with us.

(I have to say that I was surprised to see that some were shorter than I thought they would be).

I learned that the height requirement was 5 6' to 5 10' 1/2 MAX.

Their dance shoes are 3 inch heels so that makes them look taller.

They had us line up and they told us where they were from

and how long they have been Rockettes (mostly ranging from 3-7 years).

We learned they all lived in different States (you don't have to live in New York to be a Rockette).

They perform 4 to 5 months out of the year

and the rest of the time they have normal jobs (one was even a Yoga instructor).

I asked if there was an age limit and the answer is 18.

You must be 18 to audition. There is no max age so that brought me to my next question which was, "how old is the oldest Rockette now?"

Their answer was, "We don't know."

They said, "No one will give their ages because it becomes an 'occupational hazard'

and they are afraid they will not get picked the next year.
So everyone is 18!"{LOL}

It was time to learn dance moves.

We started off with the traditional kick line.  That was awesome to learn!

We were taught how to pose, how to stand, where to put our hands (every part of the body has a place it needs to be), even where to look...
It was crazy!

 Everything is so timed and on-point.

We were also taught the 360' circle

(this is where 1/2 the women face one way and the other 1/2 are facing opposite).

You are in a line and turn the line 360'. We actually accomplished this after 3 tries.

I was amazed that 10 women with no dance experience were able to do this.

The hour went by soooo fast!

I was sad that it was over but what a great memory!

We all took pictures with them and said our goodbyes.

Here is a group picture of us...take a close look at the costumes, they were so cute!

(I am the one in the middle up front...short hair, dark gray pants and a black vest.)

Well there you have it!

My first guest blog...that wasn't so bad.

Actually, kinda' fun!

And you know...I didn't realize it was so easy to upload pictures.

Now that I know this, I think I should upload some of my kids! 

This is my youngest Sadie, she is 4

 

This is Kaylie, she is my oldest..8 yrs.

 

Here is Brandon, he is 7 and he's my sweet boy!!!

I am blessed to have such wonderful kids!!

 I hope you enjoyed my post!

Please leave me a comment so I know that someone did read it

and I won't lay in bed at night wondering if anyone liked what I wrote...LOL.

Amy~  

  

                              

Jingle Bells!!

I.
Love.
Christmas!

There.
I said it.

(Oh Look! I made a Christmas Tree!)
--Sorry. Easily Sidetracked.--

"What's to love?!!" you ask. "This time of year is CRAZY!"
"Everyone is rushing. Cooking. Planning.
Stressing. Fretting about money."
"Seriously! What's to love?!? Christmas is for kids!"

The fact is...

I love that we start the Holiday Season with Thanksgiving.
Being thankful for what we have and anticipating what we will give.

A couple of years ago, as we sat around the dinner table,
we each took a moment to say what we were thankful for.
And God bless little Sadie!

It was her turn. And in her innocent, then 2 year old voice she said...
"I'm thankful for air"
I promise to never forget that even our smallest blessings are big ones!

I love holiday music, and Christmas movies, and giving gifts,
and driving around looking at lights, and baking cookies with kids,
and I secretly think it's fun to sit in Santa's lap for a picture.
And I love getting Christmas Cards in the mail.
(I just wish I were better at mailing them) {sigh}.
(Hey, I've been known to send out Christmas cards in June.
It's actually brilliant! Then you don't know if I'm early or late. {grin})
And decorating. Oh how I love decorating!
It's all just so magical!

I love that we spend time thinking of others.

And what we can do to make them smile.

I love Santa Claus! and Nutcrackers! and Toy Soldiers! and Twinkling Lights!

and Handmade Gifts from the Heart! and Desserts! Lots of Holiday Desserts!

And you know, now that I look back I realize
that it's all my parents fault.

I grew up in a family filled with lots and lots of love but not much money.

And yet, Mom & Dad somehow found a way to make every Christmas special!
I remember sitting around the coffee table
pinning sequins onto styrofoam balls to make ornaments
that were so heavy that the branches of the tree couldn't hold them.
And the year I got an old Underwood typewriter and stand
because my parents knew how much I enjoyed my typing class.
Oh! And the year I got a BRAND NEW coat!
I screamed so loud I think the neighbors heard me!

And I'll never forget the couple of years that my mother
somehow found the means to take 3 young children

(my little brothers and I) to see "The Nutcracker" ballet where we lived in Austin.

Who knew there was such a glorious world of magic and fairy tale--right there before our eyes!?!

I loved that, even if just for an afternoon, dreams could seem so real.

So, I started thinking...
What is it that really makes Christmas so special?
And why can't we get back to that?

You know what I keep coming back to?
The Holidays really are about
Giving Something of Yourself.

We all talk about it.
So let's do something about it!
Let's give something of ourselves.

Let's give at least one gift either from
Our Heart
or
Our Hands

By that I mean that our gift could be a simple as
giving our time to someone else by
raking, cleaning, repairing, cooking,
doing laundry, or even babysitting for someone special.

And if you enjoy making things as much as I do
then I can't wait to see what you'll be making for gifts this year.

So please join me in our Handmade Holiday Challenge!!
To post pics where they can be shared with everyone
I've opened a Flickr Group so we can
share our photos there.
(Just praying I did it right! Please let me know!!)

And of course you can always comment here
to tell us your plans too.

Oooh!!! I Can't wait to see
all the ways we'll be giving of ourselves!

Hugs and Happy Christmas!!!!!

Hello My Friends!!

You know, life has been crazier than normal (is that possible?)
around The Mulberry Bush lately.

In the past couple of weeks I've had my fair share of craziness. 

First we had a robbery (or burglary, or theft, or break-in--what's the difference I wonder?)

at the store when one of my dealer's showcases was broken into DURING WORKING HOURS! Seriously!

I wasn't here at the time but the poor girl who was working for me

was just devastated--as was the dealer, of course.

So, we've been through the whole police reporting, picture taking,

pawn shop reporting, documenting thing.

And just when I thought things had calmed down...

As I sat at my computer this afternoon I heard a small 'tinkling' of glass.

"Hmmmm", I said to myself, "What was THAT?"

I stepped outside to find that one entire section of my plate glass

window was cracked and separated from top to bottom. {BIIIIG sigh}

So we've spent the afternoon taping and repairing, as best we could,

until we can get the glass replaced.

But, ACTUALLY, enough about ME!

What I REALLY wanted to post about was to let you all know

That I will be having a Guest Blogger!

Yep! You read it right!

My very next post will be written by...

...well...you'll see!

I've just called to tell her the good news and

I bet her armpits are sweating already {grin}.

Oooh! I'm SOOOO excited!!
This will be SO Much Fun!

Stay Tuned!!

And Have a Blessed, Blessed Thanksgiving!

Be Safe!

Hugs!

Cheryl

Apronality's LIVE and Online!

It's OFFICIAL!

Apronality Aprons are now available online!

We had our first photo-shoot on Saturday with my

'Ever So Patient and DARLING' nieces and next door neighbor.

They are all three JUST THE CUTEST THINGS!

(You know, if you didn't know better you'd

think they were all related!)

Don't they make my aprons look GOOD!?!

(Gosh I'm blessed to have such good

friends and such a sweet, sweet family!)

And boy were we a whirlwind of activity!

Between Amy and I we filled the rolls of:

Wardrobe, Makeup, Photographer, Set Designer, Staging, and Hair Stylist!

All in a span of 4 Hours because we had a soccer game deadline!

Aaaaacckk! {pulling hair out!}

So now, my friends, I want to invite you to my

Etsy store (apronality.etsy.com) to view my newest Apronality Aprons.
I hope you love 'em!

Be sure to bookmark the site as I'll be adding new fabrics and photos

as often as I can grab the girls for pics!

Enjoy!!

Oh. My. Goodness!!

There just aren't words to describe

how touched I am by all your beautiful comments!

Your 'Best Gifts Ever' really are SO VERY special!

Thank you for sharing them with us all!

Now...

...for the moment we've been building up to

for over a week now...

{Oh My Gosh!! My heart is beating so fast!}

I submitted all 176 Commenters, Subscribers,

Followers, and Linkers to

random.org

and here are the 3 winning numbers chosen!:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

81

151

148

Timestamp: 2008-11-6  19:01:10 CST

So 'High Five!' to...

Our Apronality Apron Winner #81:

MalleyCC!

Our Dessert Cheeseball Winner #151:

Samsakara!

and Our Votive Candle Winner #148:

Starfishgal!

Hugs across cyberspace to everyone

of you who entered!

I am honored that you took the time to

visit, link, follow, comment, and subscribe

to my blog.

I feel like I've made new friends and can't wait to

visit with you again! This was JUST TOO MUCH FUN!!

Hurry Back!

Inspired!

Ever pick up a magazine and find an article/project inside

 that was so inspiring that you just couldn't WAIT to try it for yourself?

Well that's just what happened to me a week

or so ago when I got one of my favorite mags in the mail.

Here's the inspiration:

And here's what I made:

I had SO much fun!

Just using scraps of this and tidbits of that.

Old keys, sheet music, jacks, broken Christmas lights,

broken jewelry, and on, and on...

And what a great way to show off your favorite brooches, pins, and other jewelry!

Sorry my pictures weren't better.

I had to take them with my cell phone

because I sold both snowmen so quickly that I didn't

have time to take great pics.

But, no worries.

I will be making more snowmen later this week

and will post some good pictures and links to my website

where I'll be listing them for sale as soon as they're ready!

I have to tell you, though.

They were FUN! FUN! FUN to make!!!

Try it! But here's a warning: It's addicting!

Altered Art is THE BEST!

Hugs til later!

NO COMMENT!!??!!

I guess some comment thingamajigger on my settings

 somehow exceeded something and some of you

haven't been able to comment.

The fact that many of you haven't been able to tell me

what your best gift ever was makes me REALLY SAD!!!

(But a SUPER BIG thank you goes out to those of you

who subscribed instead.)

And if you want to try again to comment 

for the Giveaway the problem has been fixed.

And...you still have ONE MORE DAY!!

So, stay tuned!

Tomorrow night, (Thursday Nov. 6th)

at the stroke of 7 I will be drawing from all the

 commenters, followers, subscribers, and blog-linkers.

Oh My Gosh!! I'm excited just thinking about it!)

And I will post the winners IMMEDIATELY after they're drawn.

(I know, the suspense will be killing me too!)

But, before I go, I have to tell you...

...Your comments have been AMAZING!

And Girls!...

What GREAT gifts you've gotten!!!

Seriously!

(I'm just thankful that I didn't

have to choose a winner based on 'The Best Gift Ever Received'!)

But I AM glad that we all got to take a minute

to remember our 'Best Gifts' and to share them with each other!

Thank you SO, SO much for taking the time

to introduce yourselves to me and please come back often!

I love new friends!

Happy Hugs!

Shop-a-Thon

To All My New TipJunkie Friends!

For any of you who don't know about TipJunkie.
You'll have to go check it out!
It is just FULL (and I mean FULL) of great ideas!

AND.
While You're There.
Be sure to check out the Mom-preneur Shop-a-Thon!

Your friends and family will LOVE all the amazing and thoughtful gifts you'll find there.
Plus, you'll be supporting other moms & bloggers.
Isn't that GREAT!!

And, seriously. Isn't it always more fun to buy from other women?
(Especially when they love the same things we do!)

So, a Big Fat Thank You! goes out to Laurie at TipJunkie
for listing my Blogoversary Giveaway on her website.

I am already meeting new friends and LOVE your comments!
(Isn't it fun to think back and remember your best gifts?)
(It's like getting them all over again!)

So Best of Luck Girlfriends!
My fingers are crossed for all of you!

Hugs!

It's My Blogoversary!

Happy Blogoversary to me!

Happy Blogoversary to Me!  Happy Blogoversary...

{All Together Now...}

To Me-e-e-ee!

Yippee!!

Today's my First Blogoversary!

Can You Believe It?!?  Oh please...no presents {giggle}

Really...you shouldn't have. 

(Absolutely-- Horn-Blowing & Loud Clapping is TOTALLY allowed!)

Actually, you know I Love A Party!

So, to celebrate, I'm having a 'Blogoversary Party Giveaway' and

You are TOTALLY invited!

"Wait...Did she say Giveaway?"

Yep! I said Giveaway!

(Don'tcha just love presents?!?)

"Oooh! Where do I go?"

"What do I need to do?"

"Oh No! What should I wear?", you're asking.

Well...if you've been enjoying all the fascinating...informative...rivetting posts from the past year.

And have just been dying to comment!

But for whatever reason...just didn't.

Don't beat yourself up! You gotta start somewhere right?
(And you can't win if you don't play)
So, jump on the Bandwagon and let's hear from ya!

So curl up in your comfiest pj's and fuzzy bunny slippers
(or feel free to throw on that prom dress
you've been dying to see if you could still get into {envious grin})
Okay...Comfy?!?

Then Let's Play!
Just press the "Enjoyed This" at the bottom of this post

and tell me aout the BEST PRESENT you EVER Received!
That's It! You're Entered!

Of course your comment will enter you in the drawing.

But wait!...it gets better!

You can ALSO earn additional entries by doing any, or all, of the following:

1) subscribe to my Blog

    (located at the top right hand corner of this page)

2) add me to your blogroll

    (copy and paste the code located to the left of this post onto your blog sidebar)

3) announce my contest on your blog

4) become a Gal Pal Follower

    (located on the top left hand corner of this page)

(Just comment or email me to let me know that you are eligible for extra entries.)

WHEW! Glad that's all out of the way!

"So How Do I Win?" you ask.

On Thursday, November 6th, all the entries will be gathered up and winners will be drawn!

Oooooh! I just Can't WAIT!! {giddy}

Oh! And the prizes will be SO FUN!! 
Here They Are!...

Behind Door #1...

...you'll be the envy of every Holiday Hostess when you're wearing
your very own Christmas Apronality Apron.

Behind Door #2...

...will be a  To-Die-For White Chocolate Strawberry Dessert Cheeseball
 AND
an adorable silver serving tray with matching spreader
so you can serve your cheeseball with elegance!

And Behind Door #3!...

...will be THE MOST scrumptious-smelling

square votive candle (called Sleeping In Snow)
AND
a matching glass holder
(I'm telling you, these candles smell so good
you won't even have to burn them! YUM!).

So there you go!

My party has officially started!

I Hope You Have a Great Time!

Oh! And Good Luck!

Hugs! Hugs! Hugs!

We've Been Bzzzzy Little Bees!

My Friend Nancy (that's what I call her...)
(My girls tease me because they know exactly who Nancy is.
Like they'd need any clarification.
And yet, I still refer to her as "My Friend Nancy") {giggle}

What?
Oh.
I'm rambling.
Sorry.
Let's try again.

So, My Friend Nancy and I worked on booths in the store yesterday.
Oh! It was SO MUCH FUN!!!
I just LOVE creating with Nancy!
(Doesn't that sound like a TV show? Creating With Nancy {snicker})
Cheryl! Stay focussed!
Anyway...we think so much alike that once we get rolling
WE'RE dang AMAZING!!!

Yep!!
We hinged doors together, moved merchandise,
waited on customers, freshened up spaces,
and emptied a HUGE, okay tiny, area of my storage room.

And here are some pics of the new Apronality display.

Did I mention it was SO MUCH FUN?!?!?
I just wish there were more hours in the day!
And that My Friend Nancy didn't already have
a full time job so she could come hang out with me every day.

Oh, the things we could do...

Hugs!

New Friends!

Well, another month has come and gone in Canton
and I have to tell ya'(again)...

...I just LOVE it there!

I get to meet the neatest people!
(It always amazes me when folks come into the store
and tell me they drove in from small towns just a few miles from Clinton--that's a 6 hr drive!)

Anyway...
I digress...

So, this month was busy, busy, busy! {YAY!!}
And the hours were long, long, LONG! {SIGH...}

But the highlight of my weekend
happened on Saturday night.

Just before we closed, the most ADORABLE young girl walked in the store
and was SO, SO, SO excited about buying one of my aprons!

She said she'd been thinking about it all day while she was working
in her booth in The Arbors on the Main Grounds.

So when her brother brought her up to The Mountain she just
couldn't wait to come pick out her favorite apron.
(Now how exciting is THAT?!?--For BOTH of us!)

I just cannot tell you how much I enjoyed visiting with my new friend Joni,
her brother Keith, and Keith's friend Trey.

They have such a fascinating story that I just HAD to share it with you.

It seems that Joni and Keith have been in business together for the past 7 years.

"Well", you say.
"That's not all that impressive", you say.

Oh Yeah! What if I told you that Joni is 20 and Keith is 21!?!
See!
THAT IS impressive!

So, I'd like you to meet my new friends...

They are SIMPLY FABULOUS!

And here is their website.
(I linked you directly to their gallery so you can
take a look at their STUNNING work!)

And be sure to read their whole "About Me" section.
They're not only amazing; they're inspirational!

We talked about how to grow our businesses,
how I should introduce my aprons at Market.
And on, and on, and on...

Visiting with them just fired me up!
Joni's enthusiasm was CONTAGIOUS!

And I just can't wait to see them again!

P.S.

HAPPY, HAPPY Birthday to my Niece Amy!

Though she's just a 'tad' {ahem} bit younger than me

I truly enjoy hanging out with her.

She inspires me to stay on task--(here's your blog MISSY),

and has bailed me out during cookie swaps and storage room cleanings; to name a few.

 And I'm especially thankful that she's shared her

children with me all these years.

I love them all.

Happy B-Day Amy Babetta!!

I'm On A Roll!

Have you ever been so caught up in your day-to-day activities

that you don't make time to do the things you love?

Me TOO!!

I've been so busy at the Antique Mall

that I haven't made time to craft and create.

Sigh.

And I've REALLY missed it!

(And so have my Canton customers {grin})

So I've been going in early and staying late

to work on some new projects to take with me to Canton next week.

And here's my newest creation...

(I'm so excited to show you that I just HAD to blog about it as soon as I got home tonight!)

I gathered up some supplies (old bathroom tiles and scrap papers)

I had laying around my studio

and put together the CUTEST little 'Note' Pads!

Just the right size for your favorite color of Sticky Notes.

And best of all...I've added ribbon

so you can hang it or set it on your desk.

This one has cork at the bottom.

I'll be making some cute little thumbtacks to use with it.

AREN'T THEY JUST TOO STINKIN' CUTE!?!

Hugs Y'all!
And Happy Crafting!

This is What A Girl Does...

...with about a hundred of those spool, bobbin, thing-a-ma-jiggers?

I'm thinking maybe I will turn them into wands.

But not just ANY wands...
They'll be Fabulous, Mystical, Magic Wands!  Fairy Wands! Princess Wands!
Nope! I've got it! They'll be Poof Wands!

Wands, wands, wands...

You get the idea, right?. 
Now, trying to make my vision into a reality has been a little more challenging.

So, this is my first attempt. 
And I'm looking for help. Your feedback, ideas, suggestions, ANYTHING would sure be appreciated.

I'll keep you posted as I do more.

Hugs!

Phobias. BLAH!

I was scheduled for an MRI this morning.

I've been dreading it for weeks.

Last time I had one (about 12 years ago) I had to be sedated.

Because I'm a complete blithering, blubbering, idiot!

I am ABSOLUTELY frightened to DEATH of closed in spaces and simply

cannot keep my emotions in control.

HOW EMBARRASSING Huh?!?!!

But seriously! Who wouldn't be afraid of THIS!!

AAACCKKKK!!!

See, here's the deal...when I was very young I was playing hide and seek and got stuck behind my grandmother's couch. I had wiggled behind there but couldn't get out and was too small to push my way out.

So there I lay. Stuck. And Scared.

So I told my Dr. last week that if I needed an MRI then I would need something to calm me down.

And his nurse called in some Ativan.

I was suppose to take 1 pill 1 hour before my appointment.

So I took it about 1 hr 15 minutes before (just in case--because this HAS to work).

After 45 minutes I was crying inconsolably.

IT WASN'T WORKING!! WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW??!!

So...I took the second pill (which I guess was given for just this type of emergency)?.?

Okay. All should be fine now.

Long story short. The pills did NOTHING!!

I just couldn't do it! I didn't feel any differently! How could that BE??

BLAH!!!

Yes. I was THAT girl.

The one sobbing in the room.

I'm such a weanie-butt!! ERRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!

So, after being dismissed from my pretend MRI (as I like to refer to it)

I've spent the rest of the day being dizzy, sleepy, and MRI-less.

Please tell me I'm not the only one who's deathly afraid of closed-in spaces.

Or am I the only weirdo with this phobia?

SIGH...

Hugs to you Today!
(But not too tight--I need to breathe) {grin}

Surprise!

I've been wanting a new look for my blog and spent all night working with templates I downloaded from here.

It probably wouldn't have taken most people all night long but I was rusty on my html.

And Miss Jenn has SUCH CUTE designs! I just couldn't choose! So I bought THREE!

Of Course!

Maybe after I get some rest I'll change things up again.

Or not.

Anyway. What do you think?

Was it worth the effort?

Hugs!

What's a Girl to Do...

...with about a hundred old wooden bobbins

(or spools--whatever you want to call them)?

I picked these up at a bargain

and want to do something neat.

fun.

different.

funky.

unexpected.

Something!

So. To all my blogger friends. Help me out!

So far the only thing I've come up with

is wrapping them with lace or embroidery floss.

Cute. But there have to be cuter ideas.

So, there's my challenge!

What do you think? What do you see?

(P.S. Each spool is about 12" long)

My Guy!

Here he is!

The moment you've been waiting for!!

The newest man in my life!!

I am totally smitten!

And he truly is our gift from God!

Jungle Fever

I'm not getting Jungle Fever.

Tif won't let me.

I'm painting some things on Cohen's wall but Tif is adamant that we stick to a select few animals and a quote.

No murals.

No 'Mom's gone overboard'.

Just the basics.

Sigh...

So here's what I have to work with...

A giraffe, a lion, a quote,

and five little monkeys playing, peeking over stripes, and swinging from vines

(and believe me...I REALLY had to do a lot of talking to get vines--grin)

Everything is finished except the monkeys and vines.

And I don't think I'll get those finished on this trip

since I haven't even drawn them up yet and I'm leaving tomorrow.

So you'll have to wait to see those pictures.

But here's what I've painted so far...

Tif found the picture of the giraffe online (isn't it so sweet looking down into the crib?) and I found the lion as a graphic and I added more dimension.

I think Cohen will really enjoy looking at the lion during diaper changes.

Finally...Some Time to Create

I promised you more pictures.

So, here they are...

The first is a diaper cake that I made for Cohen's baby shower.

I've never been a fan of the diaper cakes made with disposable diapers.

They always looked lumpy and unfinished.

So I was really worried about creating one for the shower.

Solution?

Cover the diapers up!

How?

Well, I took some birth announcements I got at a garage sale

and cut out the center section to make a frame.

Then I glued them end to end, added some embellishments,

and wrapped them around the diapers.

And Voila! No more lumpy, unfinished diapers!

All I needed now was something really special to top it off.

And I found 'just the thing'!

A baby bottle filled with little blue cigar gum came from

one of my FAVORITE Texas Stores.

H.E.B.!!!

(man I really miss H.E.B!!!!)

I added a few final embellishments and 'color me finished' I was DONE!

Heeeere is my diaper cake...

The next project was one that I hadn't planned on doing.

I was just helping out.

Tif's in-laws gave her the most ADORABLE door wreath

made out of diapers, a stuffed monkey, and ribbon, and washcloths, and all kinds of fun stuff!

It was TRULY the CUTEST, CUTEST door wreath EVER!

Until it got knocked off the door and broken by the anesthesiologist.

I tried to salvage the pieces so I could remake it but it just didn't happen.

So, I made a replacement door wreath.

Even though I tried to use most of the items from the original wreath

I wasn't able to reuse the diapers.

So I hung streamers instead.

It wasn't nearly as cute as the original

but it made the door look too, too cute!

P.S. The Soccer Balls were compliments of Grandaddy!

God Answers Prayer!

Thank you my friends!

Thank you so very much!

God has heard our prayers!

We just got in from Tif's OB and Cardiologist appointments and both Dr.'s gave her glowing reports!

The official diagnosis is Atypical (or 'a-TIF-ical' as I've been calling it) Postpartum Preeclampsia.

The OB said she is doing great and the risk of relapse will get lower and lower over the next two weeks.

And the cardiologist gave her a 'two thumbs up' and said he did not see any signs of cardiomyopathy (or any heart damage for that matter!). He gave the A-OK and said he just wanted to see her again in 6 months just to make sure she was still doing great.

So I'd like to thank you all so, so much for your kind words, emails, text messages, phone calls, and most especially your prayers.

God has truly blessed us with great friends!

Staying Busy

Okay.

So I'm here at Tif's.

Just lovin' on my new grandson.

And trying to stay busy with all the projects we've been planning to do

all these months but just never had the time.

And now my time is running out.

So I thought I'd give you a sneak peak

of some of the things we've been working on in Cohen's nursery.

The first project was one that really means a lot to me.

I've saved the girls' layette (or 'changing table' as it's called these days)

for 28 years now.

Hoping that I'd get the chance to use it again.

AND I DID!!

So, here it is!...Tif's changing table from 28 years ago...a true vintage piece!

And here's what it looks like after a face lift...


Then, we needed bedding.

So Tif found these bumper pads at a thrift store and we used those, plus a shower curtain, a tablecloth, random fabric, and a corduroy jumper (another thrift store find) to create bedding for his crib and his cradle.

This is what we had to work with...

And this is what we made...



And here's his cradle (another thrift store find)...

It's late so that's all I'll post for now.

Hopefully, tomorrow I can post pictures of a couple of other things

I've made for him in my spare time (whatever THAT is!)

Blind-sided

This week we were blind-sided.

I don't know any other way to put it.

At a time when we should have been celebrating new life we were, instead, caught up in a whirlwind of fear, hospital stays, doctor visits, and confusing medical terminology.

Two days after Tif was released from the hospital her swelling was so severe

that it had actually affected her breathing and heart rhythm.

She woke up in the middle of the night gasping for air so we made a 3am trip to the ER. The staff started right in with an EKG, bloodwork, X-Rays, and an Echocardiogram.

Once those results were back, we started hearing medical terms

that a shouldn't even be part of a 28-year old's vocabulary.

Things like 'acute postpartum cardiomyopathy' and 'congestive heart failure'

and 'postpartum preeclampsia'.

WHAT?!?!

According to her doctors she had a textbook pregnancy! Never even ONE complication!

How could something go wrong NOW??

The ER Doctor said the Cardiologist had been paged and would be in that morning.

And, since no beds were available, we'd have to wait in the exam room until a bed opened up upstairs (which, unbelievably, took 15 HOURS!!!!).

Tif was started immediately on a dosage of lasix to start draining off all the fluid that had accumulated since her delivery.

And boy did THAT start happening quickly!

Within a matter of a couple of hours they had already drained over 2 liters of fluid.

2 LITERS! THAT'S LIKE A BOTTLE OF SODA!!

And the lasix continued to do its job.

Over the course of her 2-day stay they drained well over 6 liters of fluid off her body and she lost OVER 19 POUNDS!

UNBELIEVABLE!!

And remember that Cardiologist that was suppose to be in first thing in the morning? Yeah, well, he finally showed up at 11pm.

It was hard to be angry with him

because he gave us reassuring news after he had seen her labs.

He felt like Tif was going to be fine.

Thankfully, he did not feel that it was cardiomyopathy OR congestive heart failure (Praise God!!)--but wanted her to follow up in his office later this week to take a look at her heart without 6 liters of fluid taking its toll.

He released her from his care

but her obstetricians did not want to release her until a diagnosis was made.

They spent hours and hours researching and consulting other doctors.

Their final diagnosis?

Atypical Postpartum Preeclampsia.

Okay.

So after a day of magnesium drip she was released last night

and had that follow-up visit with the cardiologist today.

Well. Not Really.

The cardiologist wasn't there.

So we just had the echocardiogram done and we'll follow up with the doctor in a few days.

In the meantime we're trying to keep positive thoughts

and love on that sweet, sweet (did I mention sweet?) little man!

It's La-La Time!!!

finally

He's ^ Here!!!

...and he made his debut on Wednesday, August 13th at 7:47 pm.

My little man Cohen Eric Nelson weighed in at a whopping 7lbs 7.9 oz and measured 19 inches long (no chunky monkies here).

And he's the cutest little guy EVER!

Tif delivered by c-section and, much to my delight, the nurse let me go into the operating room with her and Steven!

(Thank Goodness!!! 'cause I would have lost my mind just waiting!!)

Tif did really, really well!! I'm so proud of her!

Plus, she gave me the SWEETEST gift EVER!!!

No La-La Yet!

...and we're still waiting!

Another Dr. appointment has come and gone. But still no baby.

Now we're hoping he will come on 8/8/08 (since the number 8 is Tif's favorite number). Keep your fingers crossed.

In the meantime my life has been in a holding pattern.

I'm afraid to start new projects because I won't have time to clean things up to leave on the spur of the moment. The car has been packed for over a week so we won't have to spend time running around gathering luggage (so, I'm having to wash and re-wear the remaining few clothes I have left in the house).

So for now, Cohen's still cozy and tucked inside mommy's tummy. He will be here soon and the anticipation is building! Sigh...Patience has never been one of my virtues.

It's Almost Baby Time!!

Okay my friends!! Tif's been having contractions almost all day today!

They haven't been regular enough to warrant real labor but I'm still on pins & needles! I'm so afraid that since I live 5 hours away that I won't make it in time!

Although her due date was originally August 20th the doctors scheduled her to be induced on August 13th because Cohen was getting so big. But during Tif''s last appointment the doctor felt that she had progressed enough that she didn't think she'd would make it to August 13th.

WHAT?!?

Then Panic Officially Set In!! I had all my baby projects carefully planned out! Minute by minute, day by day! He can't come early! I'm not ready yet!

So I spent the last two days putting projects in overdrive. And I did it!

I've finished Cohen's bedding, packed my bags, closed out the month at the store, lined up people to be on stand-by to work when I'm gone, and have even recovered the changing table that Tif used when she was born (btw, it is SO DANG CUTE! That's a whole other post so I'll show you pictures as soon as we get to Tif's).

Okay, now I'm ready. "National La-La Day" (La-La...my new Grandma name!) and my baby Cohen will be here soon!!

But for now, we just wait... sigh...

Difficult Days

“It is difficult today

to see beyond our sorrow,

May our cherished memories

help comfort us tomorrow"

Our dear sister Sharon passed from this earth and our loving family on July 1st.

Billy & I want to thank you my friends

for your prayers, cards, phone calls, texts,

and loving support during this very emotional time.

Love You So Much!

Please Pray

Hello My Friends,



I write today with a fearful heart.



You've read my posts for months and months now so you are all familiar with my sister-in-laws Sandy & Sharon. Sandy & Sharon are my husband's older twin sisters and we have spent many, many fun times with each other over the last 30 years.



Sharon (who lives in New York) suffered a heart attack and had triple bypass surgery about 3 weeks ago. She's been recovering pretty well and Sandy & Amy left this past Saturday to spend the next couple of weeks with her.



However, once they got off the plane they drove straight to the emergency room because Sharon had been admitted with breathing problems. The Dr.'s drained 2 liters of fluid from her lung and we thought all was well. She was sitting up in bed visiting and we expected her to be released later that evening.



That was not the case. Sharon's oxygen levels began dropping and the next thing we knew she was being intubated and placed on life support.



Many of you have met Sharon before and know what an amazing woman she is and what a giving spirit she has. She is a faithful servant of God, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.



I am writing now to ask you to take a moment to pray for God to work through her to give her the strength she needs to fight through this. And also a prayer that The Lord will give the doctors the wisdom they need and that He will guide their hands so that she can be healed.



In times like this we reach out to the ones we love the most so I'm asking you for your help.



Love You!



Cheryl

'Shower-To-Go'

Maybe life was slowing down a little

...hahahahah! That's really funny!!

Well, maybe life was getting a little boring

...giggle...

(No, actually, that totally cracks me up!!)

Seriously, my niece Allyn is getting married.

And we (all her aunts & girl cousins)wanted to honor her by giving her

a Lingerie Shower... Luncheon...PARTY...EXTRAVAGANZA!!

The only problem...she lives 8 hours away.

Okay...could be difficult...but not impossible!

We'll just pack a 'Shower-to-Go'!

(Hey, wait...did I just come up with a new phrase?!?--nahh, probably not.)

Sorry--stay with me here.

Since the two aunts (Sandy & Sharon) weren't able to attend...my daughters and niece Amy were more than excited to tag right along with me.

Now, I have to ask....

....Have you ever given a 'long-distance shower'?

Then you know what I mean when I say HOLY SMOKES!!

You have to think of EVERYTHING!!!

I must be out of my mind!! (shut-up!)

Okay, so since many of you know that I am such a tedious planner

(chuckle, chuckle, followed by obnoxious bursts of laughter)

you won't be surprised to hear that I had spent weeks planning

and making lists & purchases

so that 'no butter mint would be left unturned'!

This was for Allyn.

And it had to be perfect!

So we packed. And we packed. And we packed.

Dishes, tablecloths, napkins, silverware, ingredients, serving pieces,

flower vases, gifts, favors, even mixing bowls and mixer

(because we were preparing the food in the hotel).

We arrived in College Station on Friday evening

and the whirlwind of activity began.

• 
  
  We met Allyn & James for dinner,
• 
  
  made a mad dash to Sam's Club before they closed,
• 
  
  checked into the hotel,
• 
  
  unloaded the car,
• 
  
  made a late-night run to Wal-Mart for all the ingredients,
• 
  
  and started preparing the food.

It was just a few hours after dark-thirty by the time we crawled into bed

but we were right on schedule

(thanks to some brilliant planning--grin)

All planning aside, I'm sure I wasn't the most popular girl in the room

when I woke Amy, Tif & Chell up on Saturday morning.

They were still exhausted from driving, shopping, and cooking from the day before.

I felt like The Task Master...but "up and at 'em!" we had a luncheon to give!

We got to Allyn's apartment and the transformation began.

We moved furniture, prepared food, set up tables & chairs,

and started 'foo-fooing' everything up...

...So after much anticipation...

Heeeerrrre's The Shower!

Here's one of the place settings:

Each guest received a tiara votive candle, a candy-filled 'glass' slipper, a tea infuser, and demitasse spoon as keepsakes from the day.

Each guest also got their own little 'cupcake in a cup'.

Now 'How Cute Is That!?!'

And a special thanks goes out to Sharon's friend Diana in New York

who made these ADORABLE sugar cubes!

We served chicken salad on croissant sandwiches,

a raspberry vinegarette Waldorf salad,

chocolate covered strawberries,

white chocolate strawberry dessert cheeseball,

a really delicious strawberry lemonade (straight from Paula Deen's magazine),

and for dessert we had a chocolate and vanilla trifle.

White Chocolate Strawberry Dessert Cheeseball

& Chocolate Covered Strawberries!

Can you EVER have enough chocolate covered strawberries?

I made little tussie mussie corsages for each guest.

But I secretly placed a small gold ring in one of the corsages

so a special gift would be given to the guest

who had the ring in her corsage

(well, unless you're ME --

and didn't pin on the corsage that actually had the ring in it!!)

~sigh~

It was such a great idea and I REALLY, REALLY didn't think

I'd left the winning corsage sitting on the tray! (Grrrrr!).

No one seemed to care and truly, everything turned out just as beautiful as I'd hoped!

And MOSTLY,

we were able to create a really special memory for a really special girl!

Here's to Allyn and 'Showers-to-Go'!!

Happy Father's Day!

I've been quite busy these few weeks getting projects finished for my niece Allyn's wedding.

Today it was painting the banner that will hang off the head-table during the reception.

But, enough about that later...

Mostly, I wanted to say Happy Fathers Day to the two most special men in my life.

I want to thank my Dad for being such a good listener and for being so supportive and encouraging me to pursue my dreams. And boy do I dream BIG!!!

Love You Dad!!

And special thanks go to Billy for being simply the BEST husband and father we girls could ever haved dreamed of! You've sacrificed more than we will EVER know just to make our lives more magical. You Totally Rock!!

Hugs and Kisses to my special guys!

And a Happy Fathers Day wish to all of the special men in your lives.

We Found a Pink Cloverleaf!

I-I-I-I know...

Work before Play.

And that was our plan.

My sister-in-law Sandy and I were on our way to open the store in Canton.

We left early because we had a long way--and a long day--ahead of us.

As we approached Ardmore, Oklahoma I remembered

that there was a really, really, REALLY neat boutique

called The Cloverleaf.

I'd been wanting to take Sandy there for a really long time.

So we pulled off the interstate and were greeted by a sea of pink! Fabulous Cotton Candy Pink!

From the pink bicycle-lined driveway to the enchanting pink castle

we were immediately swept up in the whimsy!

We were out of the car in a flash!

We oooh-ed and aahhh-ed at all of the unique, eclectic, funky items

scattered along the front of the store.

There was so much to take in!

We couldn't wait to see what was waiting for us inside!

We were so 'caught up in the coolness'

that we literally tripped over the sign in the entryway.

DANG IT!!!

Store Hours 10am-6pm.

It's only 9:15! We don't have the time to wait 45 minutes.

Sandy said, "Nooo!!! I want to see! Knock on the door

and tell them that we're traveling

and we want to come inside!" (Gotta love her!)

Okay, quick...come up with Plan B...

...we'll just leave Canton early on Sunday and get back here in time to shop.

Okay...That's a Plan!

And that's just what we did!

It's usually very hard for me to get away from Canton at a decent hour

but we did it and pulled back up to the store on Sunday at 5:15.

I was so proud! We were going to have a whole 45 minutes to shop!

Once again, we were mesmerized by the fun and funkiness of everything we saw!

So, Let's Get Inside!

Wait!!!???!!! What???!!!

NO.....WAY!!

How could I be so blind?

They close on Sundays at 5:00!!!

How did I miss that??

AAAaarrrrgggghhhh!!!!

Okay...deep breaths....we'll just come up with Plan C...

...Plan C...we'll just have to visit the Cloverleaf store in Oklahoma City

and come back here in June with both sister-in-laws Sandy AND Sharon

when Sharon comes to visit from New York.

I know, I know...all good things are worth the wait.

Sigh.

Here's My Sign!!

It's a Red Letter Day!!

FINALLY... After all this time...we've raised the sign in front of the store!

It's been a real logistical challenge.
And finally THAT challenge became a reality.

I found a great website for a company called Build-a-Sign.

On their site you can design your own affordable signs, banners, magnets, etc.!
In full color!! At no extra charge!

So that's just what I did!

It's not the first time I've used them. And I haven't been disappointed yet.

I've been so pleased with their service and attention to detail

that I've used them to order banners for Canton, Junior Service League,

and now my Antique Mall.

When I placed my first order it was for a banner for Canton.
I thought I had done everything just right.
But once the guys at Build-a-Sign saw the file that I uploaded they knew I wouldn't be pleased with the outcome so they e-mailed me right away.

WHO DOES THAT??

They worked with me for several days until we came up with a banner in the right format
and I JUST LOVE IT!!

See!!??

Anyway...

I designed a banner for the Antique Mall and ordered 2 (one for each side of the sign).

Once I got them in Billy and I spent the day mounting them to plywood.

Now...building the sign was really a piece of cake.

It was the raising it that was really giving us problems.

See, there is already a sign on the property that belongs to the store next door.

So...if I was going to put up a sign, it had to go UP...

ABOVE the sign that was already there.

Now how in the heck are we gonna' do THAT??!?

Mildly put...

...we're short.

And I'm afraid of heights.

Solution? Call a friend.

Within a matter of 10 minutes Craig and a couple of his friends had my sign in place!!
Seriously!! I barely had time to grab the camera. They were AMAZING!!

Some folks might consider the whole process to be Jeff Foxworth material.

True to the 'Southern Bubba Style' they actually backed their pickup between the poles of the sign...stood on the pickup toolbox...and RAISED MY SIGN!

It was brilliant! Made a southern girl proud!

So...For your enjoyment...HERE'S MY SIGN!!!

The Sky is Falling!

It's a beautiful, sunny day in Western Oklahoma. The wind is blowing pretty hard but that's something we've just gotten use to in this part of the world.

In spite of Spencer pulling on his leash to chase the HUGE equipment (what's he thinking?!?) the road construction we've had since October has no signs of being close to completion.



Then today, as I sat here at the store peacefully checking emails and doing bookwork I was suddenly startled by a low, rumbling noise.

The noise grew louder and the rumbling grew worse.

WHAT IN THE WORLD??

I went to the front door to check out the situation and found this piece of equipment 'pounding' the dirt in front of the store.

The vibrating got worse, and worse, and WORSE!

I know only a few of you have been to the store but believe me when I tell you...

I HAVE A TON OF ANTIQUE GLASSWARE!!!

And it's not all mine! I have 30 dealers!

So you'll all get a big laugh while envisioning me literally running around the store saving pictures on the walls and glassware on the shelves. Glassware that that was actually vibrating right off the shelves!

The walls were shaking, the windows were shaking, even the floor was vibrating!!

I felt like Chicken Little!

HOLY COW!! What an ordeal!!

...never a dull moment!...

You'll Make the Difference

Hi Everyone! Thanks for checking back in!

I mentioned in my last post that I need your help so here we go!

It's almost time to launch the Apronality Aprons and I need
that 'Million-Dollar Tagline'.

I mentioned before that I found a really neat website

that offers marketing help to small businesses.

So I posted my tagline problem online and almost immediately

I started receiving suggestions from some of the other members.

I've been through their suggestions

and have listed some of the best ones to the right ---------------->.

All you have to do is pick your favorite(s).

It's totally private and there's no wrong answer.
OR

If there's one that you've thought of that you like better
then please leave a comment below.

To help you out...here are some other pictures of an Apronality apron.

Thank You So Much!! And I'll keep you posted on the progress!

~Cheryl

There's a Big World Out There!

Hello My Friends!

I've missed you!

I know...it appears that I've been a slacker--that I've been ingoring you...

...but au contraire!

I've actually been feverishly working on Apronality because roll-out time is almost here!! AAAAAHHHH!!!

I've stepped so far outside my little world it's a little bit (okay a LOT) scary!

But seriously, I am still amazed at how things are falling into place! God blesses me every day with people that have helped me through this process.

Take, for instance, my friend Jarrod. He has taken time away from his own business to hold my hand through the world of manufacturing and shipping.

I'm wondering...How many ways are there to say 'thank-you!'?!?

And then there's this memo (that my hubby got at work and passed on to me) from a local university that has paid internship positions available.

They were looking to place an intern with a business to benefit both parties.

And benefit it has!!

I didn't think my business was nearly big enough to qualify for this program.

But, happily, I was mistaken. shhhhhhhh!

Thankfully, business size didn't matter.

After much prodding from my daughter I made the phone call and spoke with the head of the department and he was excited to pair me up with some SUPER GREAT people!

Through them I've been blessed with the help of a marketing intern, a graphic artist, and a really knowledgeable woman from the Small Business Development Center.

WOW!! This is HUGE!!

Words just can't express the motivation and inspiration I've received from them!!

For example, I casually mentioned to Betsy (the marketing student) that I'd been unsuccessfully searching for the contact information for Neiman Marcus. Within hours I'd received an email from her with all the contact info I needed!! She's sourced out materials, prepared cost analysis and break even info, and is currently working on a tiered pricing structure for me.

And then, Lisa (the SBDC person) has helped me with copyrighting my pattern, LLCing my name, and preparing a business plan. She's also got the graphic artist working on my logo.

See what I mean!!?? God is GOOD!!

And THEN...the other day...I stumbled upon a website that helps small businesses with all kinds of marketing things like advertising, branding, copyrighting, taglines, names, etc... FOR FREE!!!

And since I've been really struggling with my "Million Dollar Tagline" (thanks to Donnie Deutsch for making me realize I NEEDED a million dollar tagline!) I posted my question on the site and on my next blog post I will reveal those answers and get your feedback.

See you get to help me pick my million dollar tagline! (and my family will be thankful because I won't be bugging them as much with more details. right.)

Whew! Well, I think I've bored you enough with all the updates.

I pray that you have a blessed day and I'll leave you now with one of my new favorite sayings...

It's not how you sell the steak...it's how you market the sizzle!

Sssssssss!

Just Braggin'

I had the opportunity, a couple of weeks ago, to 'store-sit' for my friend Adrienne in Canton while she went to her mother's birthday party.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again!

I LOVE THIS STORE!

Adrienne is SUCH an inspiration!

She didn't have any idea that I took these pictures

(so sshhhhhh!)

but everything was so cute I just couldn't resist.

So, I'm not going to clutter up the page with a bunch of words today.

(I know, hard to believe huh?)

I'm just going to let the pics speak for themselves.

P.S. Someone needs to talk me out of buying

this little pink dresser 'cause I can't stop thinking about it!!

New Fun Friends!

Gosh, I love my job!

I really do!

Every day I open the Antique Mall

and wait for new friends to walk through the door.

(I've got a sign from Signature HomeStyles hanging in the store that says

"Enter as Friends, Leave as Family"

and that's truly how I feel about some of my customers).

A few weeks ago a couple of girls came into the store.

They joked and teased with each other the whole time they shopped.

They even split up to shop so one wouldn't find better bargains than the other!

They were SO MUCH FUN!

They seemed to have such a good time together

that I figured they'd been friends their whole lives.

(Well, ACTUALLY, the rest of the story

is that they became friends when one of the girls

started dating the other girl's ex-husband.)

I know, it sounds crazy but I LOVE IT!!!

Anyway, these girls shopped,

found items for each other because they knew what they liked,

and then they shopped some more!

Then we visited, and visited, and visited.

They were just so much FUN!

Oh! And I have to tell you this!!

I was so excited when they were the first customers to use

my brand new vintage shopping baskets!!

And You Know Me!!

I was so excited that I just HAD to take their picture!

So here are my new friends Tina and Kina!...

Thanks girls for stopping in!
See why I love my job SO much?!?

Put Your Big Girl Panties On!

Do you know anyone who's going through a rough time

and is trying to stay upbeat and keep a sense of humor about it?

Then have I got a story for you...

My friend Nancy showed me the CUTEST, SWEETEST idea

and I just had to pass it on.

Nancy has a friend who just found out she has cancer.

And her friend's attitude is so inspiring!

She said she was just going to

'Put her big girl panties on and deal with it!'.

I LOVE IT!!

So, what did Nancy and all her friends do for this woman?

Each one of them MADE HER SOME BIG GIRL PANTIES!!!

And they strung a clothesline up in their meeting room

and hung the panties all around the room!!!

Don'tcha' LOVE IT??!!

Isn't that the BEST idea EVER??!!!

So, here are the Big Girl Panties that Nancy made for her friend:

(pssst! It's an old girdle from the 50's!!!!)

Aren't they just the CUTEST?

--Well, okay maybe not CUTE but precious? adorable? FUN!?!

Have you ever heard of such an AWESOME idea?!?

Nancy had such a good time making these!

She just started going through her craft supplies

and each embellishment became more and more fun!

I think that is what friendship is really all about.

And the idea is just FANTASTIC!!! Definitely worth sharing!

So, if any of you have a friend who needs to be uplifted...

make her some 'Big Girl Panties'

and be by her side to help her deal with life's misfortunes.